Golf Enthusiasts: Lost In The Garden
Since writing my post the article in Golf Digest Index: The Emergency 9, I’ve had a number of great emails. One of which was from the author, Philip Beard, himself. I just picked up a copy of his most recent book - Lost in the Garden - and I’d recommend it to all golfers. The review below is available on amazon. I agree with most of it.
From Publishers Weekly
At first blush, 45-year-old attorney and golfer Michael Benedict seems a knowing, self-deprecatingly witty confidant as he details the breakdown of his long and happy marriage to a “mostly perfect” woman. When his wife, Kelly, announces she is pregnant with their third child at the age of 40, Michael, still traumatized by the miscarriage of their last baby, can only summon up a callous: “What are we going to do about it?” Predictably annoyed, Kelly soon refuses him sex, and heends up moving out of his suburban Pittsburgh house and back home with his wealthy, exasperated parents. There, he seeks out prostitutes and sex therapists, and sets his sights on breaking 70 in his golf game and making the PGA Senior Tour at 50. After a promising start, Beard doesn’t provide enough plot to keep the reader from losing patience with Beard’s self-absorbed mid-lifer and his games (sporting and otherwise).
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
For those that know me, it’s tough to argue with a book based on a guy who loves golf married to a woman named Kelly. Can you ask for a better set up? Not to mention I’m not 40 yet; and I’ve been preparing my Kelly for my opportunity to go for the Senior Tour. So many similarities it’s uncanny.
Anyway, its worth picking up. Especially if you’re still trying to break 70 …
Best wishes, Mike
PS, I’ve attached Philip’s recent press release:
Dear Friends and Readers,
Just a quick update on current happenings:
* Just in time for Father’s Day, Plume has released the paperback of Lost in the Garden. It’s now available from all of your favorite online and bricks & mortar bookstores.
“What’s not to love about a book devoted to one man’s search for the sweet spots on both the golf clubs and the women in his life? Philip Beard is no less sublime writing about sex than he is writing about golf, and his golf writing soars like a Phil Mickelson five-iron. By turns rollicking, ribald, poignant and sweet, Lost in the Garden is a delightful gem of a book by a writer in complete control of his game.”
–Austin Murphy, Sports Illustrated
If you haven’t had the chance to read this one yet, I hope you’ll give it a look. It was nominated for the USGA’s 2006 International Book Award, but judging by the feedback I’ve gotten from many non-golfer females, it’s being enjoyed by all types of readers.
* Dear Zoe has recently been added to Penguin’s Literature and Language catalog (in the New Voices in Literature section) as a recommended classroom text for colleges and high schools. This is a really nice development that ensures Dear Zoe won’t disappear any time soon. Please pass this along to teachers or professors who might be interested. I’m always happy to try to arrange phone interviews or visits to classrooms that are reading it.
* For you golfers, I currently have feature articles in the June issue of Golf Digest (a short piece on Whistling Straits) and in the Spring issue of Golf Digest Index (about my good friend Eric Schmitt’s 29 on the front nine at Fox Chapel). Thanks to an enthusiastic blogger, the INDEX piece is now available online here: http://mcfaddenplace.com/blog/category/travel/golf/
That’s it for now. Please pass this e-mail along to friends, family and all who might be interested using the feature below. As always, thanks so much for your continuing support.
Philip
pbeardii@scbslaw.com
www.philipbeard.net
111 Brilliant Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15215
Popularity: 3% [?
Swing Big, Don’t Miss
There’s not much more to say!
Popularity: 3% [?
The Kurian Send Off
A few weeks ago the Sogoians hosted a send off for Mark Kurian. He’s a dear friend to many and he’s now living in the SF. We wish him the best. If you’d like a peak into party just check out these pictures:
PS. Yes there were 2 Kurians at the party. Thanks to Kelly, we had the real and a life size replica. Very classy!
Popularity: 2% [?
Why Would I Stray From Knowledge?
It’s not like anyone would try to stray from knowledge, but it’s strange how quickly we can slip and find ourselves in a mess. I’m reminded about this often when I read the news. Each time I hear the heart-felt, yet cliche, testimony from a family member “they would never do this” or “I can’t believe it” I am reminded of the ancient proverbial couplet:
Cease to hear instruction, my son,
and you will stray from the words of knowledge.Proverbs 19:27
It’s not like anyone really tries to stray, rather it’s the consequence of failing to listen to instruction and wisdom. Unfortunately, this reminder was very personal tonight as I learned my youngest brother was arrested again. He’s been battling several years of poor choices and the consequences they involve; and just when it appeared there was some sunshine on the horizon the rains came down. We can only hope he changes this time. Meanwhile, I am awakened to the importance of seeking and listening to instruction.
Our thoughts and prayers are with my little brother tonight.
Popularity: 4% [?
The Putter Recap
It took 5 months but I am finally putting together my recollection of the 2007 Putter. It was my first time attending this fascinating event. This is truly an honor - there are few colonists that still play - in fact, this year 3 Americans crossed the Atlantic for the event. David Stewart (DJ) played quite well and made it to Saturday morning. He was one of the few that made it to Saturday from the 2006/07 Oxford team. The rest of us had early exits and enjoyed the Niblick - a foursomes event for the unlucky. As you can imagine after 5 months it’s a little difficult to recall all the details but I’ll recap a few:
- Many would say I had an unfortunate draw - I was matched against Glynn (G A Jones) and after his 5 birdies through 15 holes my run for The Putter was ended.
- Ian Henderson won The Putter - he won 7 consecutive matches (maybe even eight) in the wind, rain, sleet, and sun. It was impressive to watch someone play such consistent golf for 4 days in the elements. Not only that but this was his 2nd or 3rd title.
- Several of us stayed in a vacation rental in downtown Rye. Very quaint indeed. (picture coming soon)
If you get a chance to play Rye, do it. The history in itself is worth the trip not to mention the traditional links layout. And don’t forget to bring your rain gear, there’s not too many days you get out there without a little sprinkle.
I thought I’d publish an excerpt from an article in Golf World on The Putter:
SUSSEX, England (Feb. 24, 2004) — Just as mad dogs and Englishmen went, according to Noel Coward, out in the midday sun, the same may be true of those golfing oddballs who like nothing better than braving the worst of the winter when sane folk stay indoors.
They are all members of an exclusive club, the Oxford and Cambridge Golfing Society. These doughty university men (and three women) of all ages have gathered every January since 1920 at Rye to play for the President’s Putter.
Rye is the spiritual home of the Putter which exerts a magnetic social attraction as old chums re-unite and maintain a stiff upper lip when temperatures plummet. This year 164 competitors laid siege to the 1,000 year-old red roofed town on the East Sussex-Kent border. In the freakish period of long nights, early-morning starts at eight o’clock sort the men from the boys.
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